Composite plate and armor having at least one of the composite plates

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a composite plate having at least one layer for deflecting a projectile, said layer being composed of a multitude of molded components arranged adjacent to one another; the molded components are embodied in the form of bars that have side surfaces and end surfaces and have the capacity to be arranged in series with one another without gaps; adjacent bars are arranged adjacent to one another without gaps at least partially by means of side surfaces or edges that face each other and the longitudinal axes of the bars are arranged in an inclined fashion enclosing angles α and β relative to a perpendicular (L) on a surface of the composite plate in at least two different planes E 1  and E 2  that are perpendicular to each other.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a composite plate and an armor having the composite plate.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

DE 3507216 A1 has disclosed a composite plate having at least one steel layer and one ceramic layer, one steel layer having recesses in which appropriately shaped ceramic molded components are situated. The ceramic molded components are embodied of one piece and are each composed of a truncated cone and a hemisphere, with the truncated cones and hemispheres respectively embedded in steel plates. It has turned out that with the impact of a high velocity hardened-core kinetic energy penetrator, steel armors, due to the occurrence of high local pressures, behave similarly to fluids and therefore do not offer effective protection from shelling with this type of ammunition. When subjected to shelling, the ceramic molded components accommodated between steel plates consequently likewise cannot be sufficiently secured in position so that the armor can no longer be viewed as sufficient protection from hardened-core kinetic energy penetrators.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,112,635 has disclosed a composite armor plate for absorbing and dissipating kinetic energy from kinetic energy penetrators, in particular armor piercing projectiles in which a layer of ceramic molded components is cast into a matrix. The ceramic molded components proposed therein are embodied in the form of cylindrical or ball-shaped ceramic molded components. An armor plate of this kind has the disadvantage that molded components of this kind cannot be packed against one another without gaps, creating a multitude of regions in which a projectile can travel into gaps between adjacent molded components, thus increasing the probability that such a projectile can penetrate such regions.

WO 2008/097375 A2 has disclosed a ceramic composite armor plate in which a ceramic layer is situated between two steel plates, with the ceramic layer being composed of a multitude of ceramic plates or platelets arranged in series with one another. The plates have a three-dimensional structure such as a roof shape or a rounded form oriented toward the shelling side. Such molded components are usually individually manufactured by means of presses using the sintering process and are therefore relatively expensive. It is therefore necessary to create a more reasonably priced composite plate, in particular one that is composed of geometrically simple molded components.

The object of the invention, therefore, is to disclose a composite plate for constructing an armor, which is effective against armor piercing ammunition, in particular ammunition with hardened cores, that travels at high velocities, in particular at a projectile velocity of up to 1300 m/s. In particular, the invention should disclose a composite plate for producing an armor that is suitable for use in lightweight to midweight armor for personnel and vehicles and in particular, is effective against shelling with armor piercing ammunition up to a caliber of approximately 12.5 mm to 15 mm.

Another object of the invention is to disclose a composite plate that exerts particularly powerful lateral forces on impacting projectiles, thus causing the projectile to be deflected or destroyed.

Another object of the invention is to propose effective measures that effectively prevent a crack propagation of composite plates situated adjacent to one another in the event of shelling. In addition, crack propagation within a composite plate should also be minimized.

Another object of the invention is to disclose a composite plate for producing a bulletproof armor whose effective armor strength can be easily adapted in modular fashion to different armor requirements.

Another object of the invention is to distribute the impact energy of a projectile against a composite plate as directly as possible and to as large a surface area of the composite plate as possible in order to assure an effective stopping of the projectile.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These objects are attained by means of a composite plate and by means of an armor.

A composite plate according to the invention has at least one layer for deflecting a projectile; the layer is composed of a multitude of molded components situated adjacent to one another, preferably composed of ceramic, and the molded components are embodied in the form of bars that have side surfaces and end surfaces and can be arranged in series with one another without gaps. In the context of the present invention, the expression “arranged in series with one another without gaps” should be understood to mean geometrical three-dimensional forms that, when situated in series and stacked on top of one another or placed next to one another in a plurality of rows, produce a closed body without gaps. As a contrasting example, it should be noted here that when a multitude of balls, for example, are placed adjacent to one another, this always leaves open interstices between the balls, which must necessarily be understood to constitute gaps. In the context of the present invention, gaps are not constituted by interstitial joints or adhesive layers or other connecting layers between two components that can be arranged in series with one another without gaps.

The invention is also based on the realization that adjacent bars are placed against one another without gaps at least partially by means of side surfaces or edges that face each other and the longitudinal axes of the bars are arranged in an inclined fashion enclosing angles α and β relative to a perpendicular L on a surface, in particular a plane, of the composite plate in at least two different planes E1 and E2 that are orthogonal to each other. Firstly, such a composite plate offers the possibility, for example, of constructing such a composite plate out of molded components that are very simple geometrically, e.g. blocks or cubes, that can also be inexpensively obtained in the form of ceramic components. For example, in order to construct a composite plate according to the invention, such bars can be obtained by being sawn off from ceramic bars, for example bars with a square cross-section. All of the bars are preferably embodied identically and, through the double-inclined positioning at the angles α and β, yield a composite plate that has only inclined surfaces facing the shelling side, which function as deflecting surfaces for an impacting projectile. Lateral forces are thus necessarily exerted on the impacting projectile. This results in a significant decrease in energy and a deflection of the projectile, possibly even resulting in the destruction of the hardened core of the projectile and consequently a decrease in its penetration capacity.

Block-shaped or cube-shaped bars have therefore turned out to be particularly advantageous; it should in particular be noted here that in the context of the present invention, a cube should also be understood to be a bar, i.e. a special instance of a block-shaped bar with a square cross-section. If cube-shaped molded components are used to construct the composite plate according to the invention, then the angles α and β are each 45°. In such an arrangement, the cubes each rest “on one of their corners.” The cubes placed in series touch adjacent cubes only at their edges, an arrangement that remains within the scope of the invention. However, it appears to be extremely useful for such a composite plate composed of cubes to be embedded in a matrix on at least one side, preferably on the side oriented away from the shelling side.

Aside from the above mentioned block-shaped or cube-shaped molded components, it is also suitable to use molded bar components that have a three-dimensional form with a triangular, quadrangular, or polygonal cross-section, in particular a hexagonal one.

The arrangement of the bars for embodying the composite plate is preferably carried out so that at least one end surface of a first bar and at least two subregions of side surfaces of adjacent bars form recesses on a shelling side of the composite plate, with the recesses being open at least toward the shelling side of the composite plate. These recesses can be advantageously used to accommodate additional deflecting components that optionally constitute a second layer of the composite plate and are preferably composed of ceramic material.

For reasons of symmetry and the associated uniform distribution of forces arising from impacting projectiles, it is advisable for the angles α and β to be selected as a function of the size of the end surfaces of the bars so that the surfaces delimiting the recess, i.e. the end surface of the first bar and the two subregions of the side surfaces of the other bars are of identical size in terms of area. This makes it possible to accommodate deflecting components in the form of balls so that the deflecting components can rest against all three of the surfaces constituting the recess and in addition, with a suitable selection of the size of the balls, the balls can easily touch all of the adjacent balls.

Practicable values for the angles α and β have turned out to be angles that lie in the range between 20° and 70° inclusive, in particular in the range between 30° and 60° inclusive. In the case of cube-shaped bars, i.e. in the case of bars whose longitudinal span is equal to their lateral span, angles α and β of 45° have proven suitable.

The molded components, i.e. the bars, are preferably composed of a ceramic material such as aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃) and/or silicon nitride (Si₃N₄); zirconium oxide (Zr0₂) and/or boron carbide (B₄C) and/or mixtures thereof are particularly suitable. It is suitable to select ceramics that have a Mohs hardness of greater than 8.5, preferably greater than 9.

In one embodiment of the invention, each recess of the composite plate is associated with a respective deflecting component, which is preferably embodied as ball-shaped, with the deflecting components resting against the surfaces constituting the recess. In the case of a ball, the ball consequently rests at a single point against the surfaces constituting the recess. The deflecting components preferably have an at least partially spherical three-dimensional form. In particular, they are ball-shaped or are embodied in the form of cylinders with curved end surfaces or in the form of barrel-shaped components. The size of the deflecting components in this case is selected so that adjacent deflecting components touch one another. The deflecting components constitute a second layer of the composite plate that is preferably oriented toward the shelling side of the composite plate.

According to the invention, it is also possible for at least one, but preferably every, recess on the rear side of the composite plate to be associated with a damping component that rests against the surfaces constituting the respective lower recess. The damping component preferably has a spherical three-dimensional shape and can in particular be embodied in the form of a ball. Alternatively, the damping component can also be embodied as barrel-shaped or cylindrical with rounded end surfaces.

Adjacent damping components can touch one another and/or can be attached to one another with an adhesive bonding layer. Adjacent damping components can also be associated with one another in such a way that there are gaps between the damping components. For example, a plurality of damping components can be embodied in the form of a studded mat. The damping components are preferably composed of an elastic material; the elastic material is preferably plastic. The damping components preferably constitute a third layer of the composite plate.

One way to construct armor is to place a plurality of flat composite plates adjacent to one another and, between adjacent flat composite plates, to provide an interstitial separating layer preferably composed of steel, a material that is more elastic and provides more damping than ceramic. As a result of this, a crack that forms within a composite plate due to a shelling of the composite plate cannot spread to adjacent composite plates, thus preventing a weakening of the latter.

In a preferred embodiment, the flat composite plates are placed together in an offset fashion so that in at least one direction of the structure of interconnected composite plates, the separating layers are not aligned with one another.

It has turned out to be particularly useful to connect the interstitial separating layers to one another in a form-locked fashion.

In order to adapt to increased armor requirements, it has turned out to be useful to associate the composite plate with an additional layer of double-inclined bars and to place the second layer of double-inclined bars against the first layer of double-inclined bars in such a way that the individual bars of the two layers are aligned with one another in their longitudinal direction. This makes it possible to reinforce the armor in modular fashion by simply placing two structurally identical composite plates against each other.

Another possibility for combining two structurally identical layers of double-inclined bars is to place the second layer against the first layer so as to produce a composite in the form of a herringbone pattern when viewed from the side. This makes it possible for shock waves and compressive stresses caused by the impact of a projectile to be successfully deflected again in another direction and therefore further dissipated so as to thus further and more significantly reduce the kinetic energy of the projectile.

To simplify the assembly of a first layer composed of double-inclined bars, it has also turned out to be useful for a first row of the bars constituting the first layer to be embodied in the form of a one-piece molded component similar to a jagged plate, with the plane of the jagged plate in the composite inclined relative to the plane E1 or E2. This significantly reduces the number of molded components to be arranged. Conversely, it is necessary to accept a slightly increased manufacturing cost of the jagged molded plates.

Adjacent bars or jagged plates of a layer, with side surfaces resting against one another, are attached to one another preferably by means of an adhesive intermediate layer, for example a suitable glue or a resin, in particular an epoxy resin.

If need be, depending on the purpose for which the armor composed of the composite plates according to the invention is to be used, it can be useful to provide at least one fragment-catching layer on the rear side of the composite oriented away from the shelling side. Preferably, the rear ends of the bars are embedded in the fragment-catching layer which is composed, for example, of a plastic with the highest possible elasticity in order to catch and embed fragments possibly resulting from shelling.

On the shelling side of the composite plate according to the invention, there is preferably an additional layer, in particular for stopping pressure waves and small fragments. Preferably, this layer at least partially encompasses the shelling-side ends of the bars and/or deflecting components so that these ends of the bars and/or deflecting components are at least partially embedded in the layer for stopping pressure waves or small fragments.

The invention will be explained by way of example below in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of a first layer of the composite plate according to the invention.

FIG. 1A is a detailed view of the detail A from FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 is a first isometric view of the first layer of the composite plate according to the invention shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a second isometric view of the first layer of the composite plate according to the invention shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a front view in the viewing direction “X1” of the first layer shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a first side view in the viewing direction “X2” of the first layer shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a second side view in the viewing direction “X3” of the first layer shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the composite plate according to the invention, including the first layer and an additional layer composed of a multitude of spherical deflecting components.

FIG. 7A is an enlarged view of the detail B from FIG. 7.

FIG. 8 is a first isometric view of the armor plate shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a second isometric view of the armor plate shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a front view in the viewing direction “X1” of an armor plate according to the invention shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 11 is a first side view in the viewing direction “X2” of an armor plate according to the invention shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 12 is a second side view in the viewing direction “X3” of an armor plate according to the invention shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 13 is a top view of a first embodiment of an armor according to the invention including a multitude of composite plates and separating layers.

FIG. 13A is an enlarged view of the detail A from FIG. 13.

FIG. 14 is a first isometric view of the armor shown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a second isometric view of the armor shown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 16 is a front view in the viewing direction “X1” of the embodiment shown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 17 is a first side view in the viewing direction “X2” of the embodiment shown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 18 is a second side view in the viewing direction “X3” of the embodiment shown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 19 is an isometric view of the separating grid according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 20 is a top view of a layer sheet for constructing the separating layer grid according to FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 is a top view of a separating sheet for constructing grid chambers of the separating layer grid according to FIG. 19.

FIG. 22 is a top view of another embodiment of the composite plate according to the invention.

FIG. 23 is a first side view of the subject of FIG. 22 in the viewing direction “X1”.

FIG. 24 is a second side view of the subject of FIG. 22 in the viewing direction “X2”.

FIG. 25 is a top view of another embodiment of a composite plate according to the invention.

FIG. 26 is a first side view of the subject of FIG. 25 in the viewing direction “X1”.

FIG. 27 is a second side view of the subject of FIG. 25 in the viewing direction “X2”.

FIG. 28 is a top view of another embodiment of the composite plate according to the invention.

FIG. 29 is a first side view of the subject of FIG. 28 in the viewing direction “X1”.

FIG. 30 is a second side view of the subject of FIG. 28 in the viewing direction “X2”.

FIG. 31 is a top view of a fourth embodiment of the composite plate according to the invention.

FIG. 32 is a first side view of the subject of FIG. 31 in the viewing direction “X1”.

FIG. 33 is a second side view of the subject of FIG. 31 in the viewing direction “X2”.

FIG. 34 is an isometric view of a bar for constructing the first layer of the composite plate according to the invention.

FIG. 35 is a top view of a first layer of the composite plate according to the invention in another embodiment with “jagged plates.”

FIG. 36 is a first isometric view of the embodiment according to FIG. 35.

FIG. 37 is a second isometric view of the embodiment according to FIG. 35.

FIG. 38 is a first isometric view of an armor according to the invention in an embodiment including the first layer according to FIG. 35.

FIG. 39 is a second isometric view of the armor according to the invention in an embodiment including the first layer according to FIG. 35.

FIG. 40 is a front view in the viewing direction “X1” of the embodiment according to FIG. 38.

FIG. 41 is a first side view in the viewing direction “X2” of the embodiment according to FIG. 38.

FIG. 42 is a second side view in the viewing direction “X3” of the embodiment according to FIG. 38.

FIG. 43 is a top view of another embodiment of the composite plate according to the invention.

FIG. 43A is a detailed view of the detail A from FIG. 43.

FIG. 44 is a first isometric view of the first layer of the composite plate according to the invention shown in FIG. 43.

FIG. 45 is a second isometric view of the first layer of a composite plate according to the invention shown in FIG. 43.

FIG. 46 is a front view in the viewing direction “X1” of the first layer according to FIG. 43.

FIG. 47 is a first side view in the viewing direction “X2” of the first layer according to FIG. 43.

FIG. 48 is a second side view in the viewing direction “X3” of the first layer according to FIG. 43.

FIG. 49 is an isometric view of a cube-shaped bar for constructing the first layer of the composite plate according to the invention.

FIG. 50 is a front view in the viewing direction “X1” of the first and third layers according to FIG. 1.

FIG. 51 is a first side view in the viewing direction “X2” of the first and third layers according to FIG. 1.

FIG. 52 is a second side view in the viewing direction “X3” of the first and third layers according to FIG. 1.

FIG. 53 is a front view in the viewing direction “X1” of an armor plate according to the invention shown in FIG. 7, which has a third layer.

FIG. 54 is a first side view in the viewing direction “X2” of an armor plate according to the invention shown in FIG. 7, which has a third layer.

FIG. 55 is a second side view in the viewing direction “X3” of an armor plate according to the invention shown in FIG. 7, which has a third layer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In a first embodiment (FIGS. 1 through 6), a composite plate 1 according to the invention has at least one first layer S1 for deflecting a projectile 12; the layer S1 is composed of a multitude of ceramic molded components 2 situated adjacent to one another in rows R and columns S.

In a top view of the composite plate 1 according to the invention shown in FIG. 1, the columns S enclose an angle α with the rows R. The composite plate 1 according to the invention is essentially a flat structure. For the sake of clarity, in FIG. 1 and in various figures below, a basal plane GE is indicated that is essentially intended to illustrate the three-dimensional space of the composite plate 1. The basal plane GE should not be viewed as another layer of the composite plate 1.

It is naturally also possible to construct the composite plate using basal surfaces other than a basal plane, e.g. arched and/or bossed basal surfaces.

According to the invention, the ceramic molded components 2 are bars 3 that can be arranged adjacent to one another without gaps and in the case of the embodiment according to FIG. 1, are embodied in the form of block-shaped bars 3 with parallel opposing first side surfaces 4 and parallel opposing second side surfaces 5 as well as a first end surface 6 and second end surface 7. The first end surface 6 in this case is oriented toward a shelling side BS of the composite plate 1 according to the invention. In the depiction shown in FIG. 1, the shelling side BS of the composite plate 1 is the side oriented toward the viewer.

The second end surface 7 of the molded components 2 is correspondingly oriented away from the shelling side BS of the composite plate 1, oriented toward a rear side RS of the composite plate 1.

Adjacent bars 3 are placed against one another essentially without gaps at least partially by means of side surfaces 4, 5 that face each other. In the context of the present invention, the expression “placed against one another essentially without gaps” is understood to means that with regard to their geometrical three-dimensional form, the bars 3 are placed against one another so that their geometrical three-dimensional form produces no gaps.

In the context of the present invention, the expression “without gaps” or more precisely, “essentially without gaps,” is also understood to mean that between the side surfaces 4 and 5 of adjacent bars 3, there can also be a thin connecting layer, e.g. composed of an adhesive such as a suitable glue or a suitable resin or epoxy resin compound. Such thin adhesive layers for affixing adjacent bars 3 to each other should not be understood as gaps in the context of the present invention.

The bars 3 each have a respective longitudinal axis 8 (also see FIG. 34). The bars 3 of the first exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1 have a length l of 27 mm and a square cross-section with a width b and a height h of 8.6 mm. The longitudinal axes 8 of the bars 3 are arranged in an inclined fashion enclosing angles α and β relative to a perpendicular L on a basal surface GF of the composite plate 1 in projections onto at least two planes E1 and E2 that are oriented perpendicular to each other. In the embodiments shown, the planes E1 and E2 are each perpendicular to the basal plane GE or basal surface GF and are perpendicular to each other. In the event of a nonplanar basal surface GF, the perpendicular L extends through a contact point 9 of the bars 3 on the basal surface GF. The contact point 9 in this case is likewise an element of the planes E1 and E2. With arched basal surfaces GF, the planes E1 and E2 are perpendicular to each other and are oriented perpendicular to the basal surface GF at least at the contact point 9.

In the exemplary embodiments shown, the basal surface GF is a basal plane GE, thus yielding a simplified graphic depiction of the projections of the angles α and β onto the planes E1 and E2 (see FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, and 11).

A result of this arrangement is the fact that each end surface 6, together with the subregions 4′ and 5′ of the side surfaces 4 and 5 of adjacent bars 3, constitutes a respective recess 10 on the shelling side BS and the rear side RS of the composite plate 1, which recesses are open at least toward the shelling side BS of the composite plate 1.

In FIG. 1, the delimiting surfaces 6, 4′, and 5′ are each depicted with a different respective pattern to clearly illustrate the recess 10. The recesses each have a maximum depth point 11. The angles α and β are selected as a function of the size of the end surface 6 of the bars 3 so that the surfaces delimiting the recess (the first end surface 6, the subregion 4′ of the first side surface 4, and the subregion 5′ of the second side surface 5) are the same size in terms of area. In the exemplary embodiment, the surfaces 6, 4′, and 5′ delimiting the recesses 10 are oriented at right angles to one another.

In the above-described arrangement of the bars 3 on an arched basal surface GF, geometric boundary conditions naturally result in a slight angular offset between adjacent bars 3 in order to allow such an arrangement of bars to follow an arched basal surface GF. Minimal angular offsets of this kind therefore result in wedge-shaped interstices between the bars 3, which should still be viewed, however, as being without gaps or essentially without gaps in the context of the present invention.

The arrangement according to the invention of double-inclined bars 3 for a first layer S1 of the composite plate 1 particularly achieves the fact that in most cases, an impacting projectile 12 flying in a shelling direction 13 strikes a surface of the recesses 10 that is inclined relative to the shelling direction 13. As a result, from the very first contact of the projectile 12 with the first layer S1, a lateral force F_(q) is generated, which is schematically indicated by an arrow in FIG. 4. This alone can result in destruction of a hard metal core of the projectile 12 and can therefore provide an effective armor.

Another advantage of the invention is the fact that since they are embodied in the form of bars 3, in the overwhelming majority of possible shelling instances, the molded components 2 do in fact constitute the first contact with the projectile 12, but immediately after contact of the projectile with one of the bars 3, forces are produced, which, due to the double-inclined position of the bars 3, are also immediately transmitted to adjacent bars 3, thus providing a distribution of impulse and energy to a multitude of inclined bars 3. Since the adjacent bars all contact one another via relatively large-area flat sides (side surfaces 5 and 6), the impulse transmission between the bars 3 occurs in a relatively gentle fashion. This achieves very good resistance characteristics, even for high-velocity projectiles with armor piercing properties.

In a second embodiment of the composite plate 1 according to the invention (see FIGS. 7 through 12), each recess 10 is associated with a deflecting component 14 and the deflecting component 14 rests against the surfaces 6, 4′, 5′ that constitute the respective recess 10. The deflecting components 14 are preferably embodied in the form of balls whose size, i.e. whose diameter, is selected so that adjacent balls preferably contact one another at a contact point 15 or are situated spaced only a very small distance apart from one another. Preferably, the deflecting components 14 are likewise composed of ceramic materials; the same ceramic materials are suitable for constructing the deflecting components 14 as for constructing the bars 3. This does not mean, however, that the bars 3 and deflecting components 14 absolutely have to be manufactured out of the same material. For example, the bars can be composed of an aluminum oxide and the deflecting components 14 can be composed of a zirconium oxide. It is naturally also possible to use the same materials for both the deflecting components 14 and the bars 3 of a composite plate 1.

The deflecting components 14, which each rest in a respective recess 10, constitute a second layer (S2) of the composite plate 1. This second layer S2 is not absolutely required, but is a possible option depending on the requirements of the armor. This embodiment has the advantage that upon impact of a projectile 12 against a deflecting component 14, due to the fact that the deflecting component rests freely against at least three bars 3, the impact momentum is immediately transmitted to at least three underlying bars 3 of the first layer S1. This therefore provides an early impulse or shockwave distribution within the composite plate 1. Since in the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 7 through 12, the deflecting components 14 are embodied in the form of balls, the second layer S2 has gaps 16, which are inevitable due to the geometric three-dimensional form of the deflecting components 14. Such gaps 16, which result when balls are packed as densely as possible, should be understood as “gaps in the context of the present invention.” The gaps 16 in the layer S2 are of less significance, however, compared to the surface area of the layer S2 so that the probability of a projectile 12 striking the gaps 16 during shelling is relatively low. The essential factor is that the first layer S1 lying underneath it in the shelling direction 13 is an arrangement of molded components 2 without gaps or essentially without gaps.

With regard to the first layer S1, which is composed of bars 3, the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 7 through 9 is identical to the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 1 through 6 so that the entire content of the related description of the first exemplary embodiment can be transferred to the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 7 through 12. In this respect, reference numerals of the first exemplary embodiment are also used for identical components of the second exemplary embodiment.

The depiction of the second exemplary embodiment in a top view in FIG. 7 gives a particularly clear view of the rows R and columns S of adjacent deflecting components 14. An above-described arrangement of the second layer S2, which is composed of balls in contact with one another, can be easily implemented if the recesses 10 are composed of subregions 6, 4′, and 5′ that are identical in area.

For example, the ball-shaped deflecting components 14 have a diameter of 10 mm to 30 mm, in particular 10 mm to 20 mm. It is naturally also possible to use deflecting components 14 in the form of cylindrical components with ball-shaped, in particular hemispherical, end surfaces oriented toward the shelling side BS and optionally also toward the rear side RS. Such cylinders, whose cylinder diameter is suitably selected, contact one another at contact locations 15 not in the form of points like balls do, but in the form of lines. The contact lines in this case extend approximately perpendicular to the basal surface GF, in particular perpendicular to the basal plane GE.

According to another aspect of the invention shown in FIGS. 13 through 21, a multitude of composite plates 1 that are smaller in area, e.g. composed of 16 bars 3 each, are arranged adjacent to one another, forming an armor 100. For example, a top view according to FIG. 13 clearly shows that four composite plates 1 are arranged in a row 20 and for example six rows 20 are arranged one above another. A first interstitial separating layer 21 is situated between each of the rows 20. A second interstitial separating layer 22 is provided between each pair of adjacent composite plates 1 of a row 20. For example, the interstitial separating layers 21 and 22 are embodied in the form of steel plates; the first interstitial separating layer 21 (see FIG. 20) is embodied in the form of steel strips with slot-shaped recesses 23. Projections 24 of the second interstitial separating layer 22, which is embodied for example in the form of a steel plate, engage in these slot-shaped recesses 23 (see FIG. 21) so that the interstitial separating layers 21 and 22 can be assembled to form an interstitial separating layer grid 23 (see FIG. 19). In this case, the interstitial separating layers 21 and 22 are placed onto the basal surface GF or basal plane GE inclined relative to the perpendicular L in such a way that lateral delimiting surfaces 4, 5 of the composite plates 1 rest over a large area against corresponding side surfaces of the interstitial separating layers 21 and 22. The interstitial separating layers 21 and 22 and/or the interstitial separating layer grid 23 act so that cracks possibly produced during the shelling of a composite plate 1 are to the greatest extent possible prevented from being able to spread outside of such a grid structure 23 a. In this respect, the interstitial separating layers function as crack stoppers that should, to the greatest extent possible, prevent shelling-induced cracks from spreading into adjacent composite plates 1. In this case, an upper edge 25 oriented toward the shelling side BS of the armor 100 can, as depicted in the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 13 through 21, be straight or in a preferred embodiment, can have a jagged contour that follows the contour of adjacent composite plates 1. If need be, it can also be suitable for the interstitial separating layers 21 and 22 to be composed of a suitable plastic with high shock-absorbing and momentum-damping properties. It is naturally also possible to provide the armor according to FIGS. 13 through 21 with a second layer S2 composed of deflecting components 14. In this respect, the related descriptions of preceding exemplary embodiments of the composite plate 1 are fully transferable. It is particularly advantageous to arrange the composite plates 1 so that they are offset from one another in at least one dimensional direction of the armor 100 so that interstitial joints between adjacent composite plates 1 are situated offset from one another in the region of the interstitial separating layer 21.

In another embodiment of the composite plate 1 according to the invention, it has two structurally identical first layers S1 and S1′, which have already been described at the beginning in connection with FIGS. 1 through 6. In this case, the two layers S1 and S1′ are placed against each other without gaps in such a way that longitudinal axes 8 of bars 3 of the layer S1 coincide with longitudinal axes 8 of molded components 8 of the layer S1′. This means that each of the second end surfaces 7 of bars 3 of the layer S1 is placed against a respective first end surface 6 of bars 3 of the layer S1′. In this case, it is particularly advantageous that the construction of the composite plate 1 according to the invention or more precisely, the construction of the first layer S1 of double-inclined bars 3, makes it possible to place two structurally identical first layers S1 and S1′ against each other without gaps since the surface structure of the first layer S1 in the direction of the shelling side BS is identical to the surface structure on the rear side RS of the first layer so that a surface structure of a second layer S1 can be placed against a first layer S1 in a precisely fitting fashion without producing interstitial gaps. As a result, it is easily possible to use a modular structure to reinforce the resulting armor 100 or more precisely, the resulting stopping effect for impacting projectiles 12. A composite plate 1 reinforced in this way can thus be composed of structurally identical layers S1. This is particularly advantageous for manufacturing such a reinforced composite plate 1 since structurally identical components can be used in identical fashion. Another advantage of a composite plate 1 composed of layers S1 and S1′ in this way is that an interstitial joint 30 is provided, which functions as a crack stopper and consequently assists in preventing an undesirable spreading of cracks and fissures in the bars 3 from the layer S1 to the layer S1′. A composite plate 1 composed of structurally identical layers S1 and S1′ can be expected to have a reduced crack formation as compared to a composite plate 1 that has been constructed by merely doubling the length of the bars 3, without providing an interstitial joint 30.

Another embodiment of the composite plate 1 according to the invention is depicted in FIGS. 25 through 27; once again, two structurally identical layers S1 and S1′ are placed against each other. In this case, the layers S1 and S1′ are placed against each other in such a way that when viewed from the side in the viewing direction X1, the individual bars 3 are placed together in a herringbone pattern. This means that the bars of one row R of the first layer S1 form the herringbone pattern with the corresponding bars 3 of the layer S1′. Consequently, in this embodiment, the second end surfaces 7 of the bars 3 of the layer S1 are each placed against the subregions 5′ of the second side surface 5 that constitute the recesses 10 of the layer S1′. The possibility of this arrangement of the layers S1 and S1′ in relation to each other is enabled by the idea according to the invention of double-inclined bars 3 of one layer S1, which form mutually corresponding structures on the top sides (toward the shelling side BS) and rear sides so that two structurally identical layers S1 and S1′ can be placed against each other in this way.

In this embodiment, it is particularly advantageous that lateral forces that are produced in the first layer S1 due to the impact of a projectile 12 are deflected in the first layer S1′ and are thus distributed to yet another region. This further improves the armor and its capacity to stop projectiles 12.

According to another embodiment of the composite plate 1 according to the invention, two layers S1 and S1′ are placed against each other in a third variant. In this third variant, the second end surfaces 7 of the first layer S1 rest against the subregions 4′ of the first side surfaces 4, which constitute the recesses 10 of the layer S1′, and are placed against these recesses. This embodiment is also in a position to distribute impulse waves and shock waves, which are produced by an impact of the projectile 12, uniformly and along a direct path to a multitude of bars 3 of both layers S1 and S1′. As in the example according to FIGS. 22 through 24, the two layers S1 and S1′ are separated by an interstitial joint 30 that also functions as a crack stopper in the manner mentioned above.

Another exemplary embodiment of the composite plate 1 according to the invention is depicted in FIGS. 31 through 33; two structurally identical first layers S1 and S1′ are depicted as rotated relative to each other when viewed from above so that second end surfaces 7 of the bars 3 of the first layer S1 are placed against subregions 5′ of the second side surfaces 5 of the bars 3 constituting the recesses 10 of the layer S1′. This corresponds to the principle established in the embodiment according to FIGS. 25 through 27. Here, too, the bars 3 of one row of the first layer S1 form a herringbone pattern with a corresponding row R′ of the layer S1′. In this respect, the armoring properties of this embodiment (FIGS. 31 through 33) can be expected to correspond approximately to those of the embodiment from FIGS. 25 through 27.

It is essential to note here that the basic idea of the invention of the composite plate 1, which is composed of a layer S1 of double-inclined bars 3, firstly permits this kind of wide variety of possible arrangements of two structurally identical layers S1 and S1′ relative to each other. This is particularly the case if the angles α and β are selected as a function of the size of the end surface 6 of the bars 3 so that the surfaces 6, 4′, 5′ delimiting the recess 10, i.e. the end surface 6 of the first bar 3 and two subregions 4′, 5′ of the side surfaces 4, 5 of the other bars 3, are the same size. The symmetry within a layer S1 achieved by means of this is what permits the multitude of possible arrangements.

Another embodiment of the composite plate 1 according to the invention is depicted in FIGS. 35 through 37. This embodiment essentially corresponds to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 6, with the differences explained below.

In this exemplary embodiment, the rows R of individual bars 3 are embodied in the form of a one-piece flat plate component 40 with a jagged outer contour. A plate component 40 of this kind is manufactured out of suitable ceramic materials, for example by means of the sintering process. The advantage of this embodiment essentially lies in the fact that the significant reduction in the number of parts required to produce a first layer S1 (only one plate component per row R) significantly simplifies the manufacture. This can be important for certain armoring tasks, particularly those involving quick repairs and the like. In return, this embodiment requires acceptance of the slightly higher production costs of the plate component 40 as compared to individual bars 3 since in this case, sinter-molding tools are inevitably required. An embodiment of this kind is particularly suitable for a lightweight armor since eliminating interstitial joints between adjacent bars 3 eliminates a row R as shown in the example described first, so that in the event of shelling, the plate component 40 can be presumed to possibly have a somewhat greater crack-forming tendency than a row R composed of individual bars 3. This must be taken into consideration for each individual case.

FIGS. 36 and 37 show isometric views of a composite plate 1 according to the invention, in particular of its first layer S1, which essentially corresponds to the views according to FIGS. 2 and 3 of a composite plate 1 composed of individual bars 3. The descriptions given in connection with the first exemplary embodiment apply here correspondingly; in particular, the jagged plate component 40 can easily be theoretically broken down into a multitude of individual bars so that descriptions given in connection with the double-inclined positioning of the bars 3 relative to a perpendicular L at a contact point 9 of a bar apply here in corresponding fashion. Otherwise, the geometric structure of this embodiment is identical to the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 through 6.

The embodiment according to FIGS. 35 through 37 is modified in FIGS. 38 through 42 such that a second layer S2 composed of deflecting components 14 is provided in a way that is analogous to the embodiment according to FIGS. 7 through 12, but the rows R of the first layer S1 are constituted by the jagged plate component 40.

In another embodiment of the composite plate 1 according to the invention, the molded components 2 are embodied in the form of cubes. In the context of the invention, a cube should therefore be understood to be a special instance of a bar 3 in which the longitudinal span of the bar 3 is equal to its lateral span in both of the axes orthogonal to the longitudinal axis. In this embodiment, the layer S1 is constructed of cubes that are double inclined relative to a perpendicular L; in a top view according to FIG. 43, the cubes are likewise packed against one another without gaps. In the case in which the bars 3 are embodied in the form of cubes, this results in the fact that adjacent cubes of the layer S1 are placed with only the lateral edges 50 resting against one another. The second side surfaces 5 and the first side surfaces 4 therefore contribute fully, i.e. with their entire surface area, to the formation of the recesses 10. The cubes are connected to one another in the region of their edges 50 for example by means of adhesive intermediate layers such as glues or resins. It is also useful for the cubes to be embedded in a matrix layer that is situated, for example, on the rear side RS of the layer S1. Like the previously described layers S1 composed of block-shaped bars 3, such a layer S1 composed of cubes is suitable for accommodating deflecting components 14 on the shelling side BS and thus for producing a structure of the composite plate 1 analogous to the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 7 through 12.

It is also easily possible to use composite plates 1 containing cubes to construct an armor 100 analogous to the exemplary embodiment with interstitial separating layers 21 and 22 according to FIGS. 13 through 15. Naturally, in this case, the geometric dimensions of the interstitial separating layers 21 and 22 must be adapted to the height of the layer S1.

It is also possible to implement the various orientations of two layers S1 and S1′ described in connection with FIGS. 23 through 33, with the layers S1 and S1′ each embodied in the form of cubes. It is naturally also possible to construct a composite plate 1 by combining one layer S1 composed of cubes with a layer S1 composed of bars (3). For all of the embodiments of the invention described above, it is generally suitable to provide the rear side RS of the composite plate 1 oriented away from the shelling side BS with at least one fragment-catching layer (not shown), which is composed of a suitable material such as a relatively elastic plastic and is able to catch possible shelling-generated debris from the layer S1 or the layers S1, S2, and S1′.

It is naturally also possible to combine the various arrangements of layers S1 and S1′ that have been described in connection with FIGS. 22 through 33 with one another and to also construct multilayered composite plates 1, i.e. ones with more than two layers, out of the layers S1 and S1′. There is no functional limit to the overall thickness of the layers S1, S1′, and S2 or other layers of the composite plate 1. The only limiting factors here are the mass per unit area to be achieved and the costs of such a composite plate.

The fragment-catching layer mentioned above can, for example, also be used for embedding rear ends 7 of the bars 3 of a layer S1 and at least partially holding it and fixing it in place.

On the shelling side, it can be useful to provide an additional layer for stopping compression waves (not shown) as well as for stopping small fragments. It is useful for the shelling-side ends of the bars and/or deflecting components 14 of the second layer S2 to be at least partially embedded in this additional layer provided on the shelling side for stopping pressure waves.

As is also sufficiently known from the prior art, it is naturally also possible for other layers to be components of the composite plate 1 according to the invention, for example fabric layers, in particular aramid fabric layers or Kevlar fabric layers.

In a particularly advantageous way, the composite plate 1 can be used to manufacture armors 100 embodied in the form of vehicle armor. By adapting the layer thicknesses of the layers S1, S2, and S1′, though, it is possible to produce armors 100 that are suitable for use, for example, for body armor, in particular for integrating into bulletproof vests, bulletproof suits, overalls, or helmets.

The advantages of the composite plate 1 according to the invention therefore particularly lie in the fact that the composite plate is composed of geometrically simple subcomponents that are therefore also easy to manufacture and can be inexpensively produced. The advantages of the invention also lie in the fact that an armor 100 can be easily constructed in modular fashion from a plurality of layers S1 containing composite plates 1 according to the invention, in particular due to the potential for a wide variety of packing arrangements of the layers S1, S1′ accompanied by adaptations to the armor, which is composed of layers S1, S1′ that are per se structurally identical. Another significant advantage lies in the fact that the composite plate 1 according to the invention permits expectation of a relatively high level of armor function relative to its mass per unit area since upon impact of a projectile against a composite plate, a plurality of bars 3 always cooperate to produce lateral forces on the projectile immediately after the impact of the projectile in order to absorb the shock waves and impulses, thus achieving an increased stability of the composite plate 1. In particular, the double-inclined positioning of the bars 3 assures an immediate transmission of shock waves and impulse waves or more precisely, shock energy and impulse energy, to adjacent to bars 3 so as to cushion the projectile over a large area. Particularly for constructing armors 100 that are effective against armor piercing ammunition such as hardened core projectiles, it is particularly useful to manufacture the molded components out of ceramic materials. However, the effects resulting from the geometric arrangement of the bars can also be achieved if the bars are composed, for example, of metals or plastics; such composite plates are then intended more for use in constructing armors 100 with a lower level of cushioning action for armor piercing rounds, but can for example be quite sufficient for producing satisfactory armor, for example for use against ammunition types that do not have armor piercing properties, e.g. soft-cored rounds.

Another embodiment of the composite plate according to the invention is depicted in FIGS. 51 through 53. This embodiment essentially corresponds to the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 through 6, with the differences explained below.

In this arrangement, the respective end surfaces 7, together with subregions 4′ and 5′ of the side surfaces 4 and 5 of adjacent bars 3, form recesses 10 on the rear side RS of the composite plate 1. In FIGS. 50 through 52, the delimiting surfaces 7, 4′, and 5′ are each depicted with a different respective pattern to clearly illustrate the recess 10. The recesses each have a maximum depth point 11. The angles α and β are selected as a function of the size of the end surface 7 of the bars 3 so that the surfaces delimiting the recess (the first end surface 7, the subregion 4′ of the first side surface 4, and the subregion 5′ of the second side surface 5) are the same size in terms of area. In the exemplary embodiment, the surfaces 7, 4′, and 5′ delimiting the recesses 10 are oriented at right angles to one another.

According to this embodiment of the composite plate 1 according to the invention, each recess 10 on the rear side RS of the composite plate 1 is associated with a damping component 14′; the damping component 14′ rests against the surfaces 7, 4′, and 5′ delimiting the respective recess 10. The damping components 14′ are preferably balls, which are selected in terms of their size, i.e. their diameter, so that adjacent balls preferably touch at a contact point or are situated spaced only a very small distance apart from one another. The damping components 14′ are preferably composed of elastic materials, preferably plastic.

The damping components 14′, which each rest in a respective recess 10 on the rear side RS of the composite plate 1, constitute a third layer (S3) of the composite plate 1. This layer S3 is not absolutely required, but can be optionally provided as needed, depending on the armoring requirements.

This embodiment has the advantage that upon impact of a projectile 12 against one of the bars 3, due to the fact that the damping components 14′ are supported against the surfaces 7, 4′, and 5′ delimiting the recesses 10 on the rear side RS of the composite plate 1, the collision impulse is transmitted to at least one underlying damping component 14′ of the third layer S3. This therefore provides for an impulse or shock wave distribution within the composite plate 1.

For example, the ball-shaped damping components 14′ have a diameter from 10 mm to 30 mm, in particular from 10 mm to 20 mm. Naturally, it is also suitable to use the damping components 14′ embodied in the form of cylindrical components (not shown) with ball-shaped, in particular hemispherical, end surfaces oriented toward the shelling side BS and optionally also toward the rear side RS. Such cylinders, whose cylinder diameter is suitably selected, contact one another at contact locations not in the form of points like balls do, but in the form of lines. The contact lines in this case extend approximately perpendicular to the basal surface GF, in particular perpendicular to the basal plane GE.

Another embodiment of the composite plate according to the invention is depicted in FIGS. 53 through 55. This embodiment essentially corresponds to the embodiment according to FIGS. 7 through 12; as in the embodiment according to FIGS. 51 through 53, damping components 14′ are each situated in respective recesses 10 on the rear side RS of the composite plate 1. 

1. A composite plate comprising: at least one layer for deflecting a projectile, said layer comprising a multitude of molded components arranged adjacent to one another, wherein the molded components are embodied in the form of bars that have side surfaces and end surfaces and have the capacity to be arranged in series with one another without gaps; adjacent bars are arranged adjacent to one another without gaps at least partially with side surfaces or edges that face each other and the longitudinal axes of the bars are arranged in an inclined fashion enclosing angles α and β relative to a perpendicular (L) on a surface of the composite plate in at least two different planes E1 and E2 that are perpendicular to each other.
 2. The composite plate as recited in claim 1, wherein the molded components are embodied as block-shaped or cube-shaped and have a three-dimensional form with a triangular, quadrangular, or polygonal cross-section.
 3. The composite plate as recited in claim 1, wherein each end surface of a first bar, together with at least two subregions of side surfaces of adjacent bars, forms a respective recess of the composite plate, which recesses are open at least toward a shelling side of the composite plate.
 4. The composite plate as recited in one of the preceding claims claim 3, wherein the angles α and β are selected as a function of the size of the end surface of the bars so that the surfaces delimiting the recess, namely the end surface of the first bar and the two subregions of the side surfaces of the other bars, are identical in size.
 5. The composite plate as recited in claim 1, wherein the angle α lies in a range between 20° and 70° inclusive.
 6. The composite plate as recited in claim 1, wherein the angle β lies in a range between 20° and 70° inclusive.
 7. The composite plate as recited in claim 1, wherein the molded components comprise a ceramic material with a Mohs hardness >8.5, selected from the group consisting of aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃), silicon nitride (Si₃N₄), zirconium oxide (Zr0₂), boron carbide (B₄C), and mixtures thereof.
 8. The composite plate as recited in claim 1, wherein the bars are embodied as block-shaped, with a length of approximately 20 mm to 35 mm, and are square in cross-section, with a width of 7 mm to 12 mm, and a height of 7 mm to 12 mm.
 9. The composite plate as recited in claim 3, wherein each recess is associated with a deflecting component that rests against the surfaces constituting the recess.
 10. The composite plate as recited in claim 9, wherein the deflecting component has a spherical three-dimensional form and is embodied in the form of a ball.
 11. The composite plate as recited in claim 9, wherein the deflecting component is embodied as barrel-shaped or cylindrical, with rounded end surfaces.
 12. The composite plate as recited in claim 9, wherein adjacent deflecting components touch one another and/or are connected to one another by an adhesive bonding layer.
 13. The composite plate as recited in claim 9, wherein the deflecting components constitute a second layer of the composite plate, which is oriented toward a shelling side of the composite plate.
 14. The composite plate as recited in claim 1, wherein a plurality of composite plates are arranged adjacent to one another forming an armor and providing an interstitial separating layer between two adjacent, flat composite plates.
 15. The composite plate as recited in claim 1, wherein the flat composite plate has an additional layer of double-inclined bars and the second layer of double-inclined bars is placed against the first layer in such a way that the individual bars of the two layers are aligned with one another in their longitudinal direction.
 16. The composite plate as recited in claim 15, wherein the second layer is placed against the first layer so that a composite in the form of a herringbone pattern is produced when viewed from the side.
 17. The composite plate as recited in claim 1, wherein adjacent bars rest against one another with side surfaces and are connected to one another by an adhesive intermediate layer.
 18. The composite plate as recited in claim 3, wherein at least one fragment-catching layer is provided on a rear side of the composite plate oriented away from the shelling side.
 19. The composite plate as recited in claim 18, wherein the rear ends of the bars are embedded in the fragment-catching layer.
 20. The composite plate as recited in claim 13, wherein on the shelling side, an additional layer, which is for stopping pressure waves as well as small fragments, is provided and the shelling-side ends of the bars and/or the second layer of the composite plate composed of deflecting components are at least partially encompassed or embedded in this layer.
 21. The composite plate as recited in claim 18, wherein at least some of the recesses on the rear side of the composite plate are each associated with a respective damping component and the damping components rest against the surfaces constituting the respective lower recesses so that the damping components constitute a third layer of the composite plate.
 22. The composite plate as recited in claim 21, wherein the damping component has a spherical three-dimensional form, and is embodied in the form of a ball, or is embodied as barrel-shaped, or in the form of a cylinder with rounded end surfaces.
 23. The composite plate as recited in claim 21, wherein adjacent damping components touch one another and/or are connected to one another by an adhesive bonding layer.
 24. The composite plate as recited in claim 21, wherein adjacent damping components are situated in relation to one another so that there are gaps between the damping components.
 25. The composite plate as recited in claim 21, wherein a plurality of damping components are embodied in the form of a studded mat.
 26. The composite plate as recited in claim 21, wherein the damping components comprise an elastic material.
 27. An armor having at least one composite plate as recited in claim
 1. 